Tuesday night, 4th week of May22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN7aSxkz1y
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Kuroiwa Rei…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VEJKqiGBa
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He was someone that I thought was a trouble maker. I was terrified of him. I never had any intentions to get near him. He was different. He wasn’t normal. His eyes were scary, the way he walked was scary, the way he talked was scary. But recently… he wasn’t as scary as I thought he was…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EDL3wnMO7
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It bothered me that he asked Runa to go to his apartment alone… I blamed him for being the reason why Runa and I fought… I was skeptical about the condition—the one I still knew nothing about… And I never fully trusted him…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUoMkqfnHH
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But that was before…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMPWLsBnTL
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When I saw his notebooks, I admired them… When Runa showed some knowledge she learned from him, I was impressed… When I talked to him in the hallway, I was mesmerized… When I vented at him, I was vulnerable… And when I saw him bravely standing in front of Runa’s Mom… I was…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzrfvX3lvr
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I had to stop myself from thinking any further about what it could be. Not now… not yet…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjZPNwg3Lt
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All I knew… was that… ever since the day he specifically called me annoying…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSCYP8KPce
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I had never stopped thinking about him.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeLxGd6QQY
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I was starting to think… that maybe all of this was a mistake…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacxG0fduz1
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Thursday, 4th week of May22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiT0sRtp8i
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Two days of the midterm exams were over. Tomorrow morning would be the last day.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn9vG21dTd
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Yesterday, I went to Kuroiwa-san's apartment along with Runa for the first time. As part of the condition Shizuna-san made, I tagged along. And finally, I was able to witness how they studied.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8lURhfiqK
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And it was… different…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S5Q5iB8W8
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Kuroiwa-san had mentioned his methods before, but being able to see it happen in person was a bit baffling. I was doing my own studying alone in the dining area, but I couldn’t help but look at what he was doing. From where I sat, it looked like he was just torturing Runa. I closed my eyes and held my breath for as long as I could. Repeating after she got it wrong, repeating if she struggled, repeating even after she got it right. In the end, I wasn’t able to hold it in anymore, and I started scolding Kuroiwa-san about his weird methods.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2rUBKNsEc
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That was a mistake…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6FrLzqG7k
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I spent thirty minutes trying to correct Kuroiwa-san, telling him his methods were wrong, and that there should be a better way of teaching Runa. I told him that he was making it unnecessarily more difficult. I told him that he should think about Runa more.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNVYbL2SpZ
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But he only stared at me… And when I saw his eyes, I realized the reason why he was against me coming… maybe I was just annoying and a bother after all…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8nXCOWA5h
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How could I ever think of ruining something that had been already built? Like, what right did I have to teach someone else the right way when I tried to do the right way and yet it failed?22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe6ZCjRPQ2
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But I couldn’t help it… I knew the reason why… I just never intended to say what it was…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt3YXJVe53
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“Let’s take a break,” Kuroiwa-san said from the living room. His flat voice suddenly brought me back to the present. I was at the dining area like last time.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25Ix9sdrI1
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I checked my phone for the time. It was already 5:14 p.m.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A62wQNDXw
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We arrived at Kuroiwa-san's apartment around 1 p.m. after Runa and I had lunch with Hina and Yui. And as soon as we arrived, Runa and Kuroiwa-san immediately started, just like yesterday. And just like yesterday, four hours later, he finally announced they were taking a break.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEhElZnMwQ
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Brutal.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7gmlNf8YO
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But, I already vowed to myself that I won’t intervene.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y4YbpkVoR
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I glanced at the living room. I saw Kuroiwa-san tidying up the notebooks and textbooks on their study table in front of him before he stood up and sat down on the sofa. When I turned my gaze toward Runa, she was leaning back, tilting her head up to look at me. When she noticed me looking at her, she straightened up, turned around and showed me a victory sign. She looked a little tired yet thoroughly satisfied.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqQgYs1MXT
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“Are you done too?” Runa asked, speaking a little louder so I could hear her.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqMu9t5Usk
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“Not yet,” I answered.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJTpTkoSbk
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“How are you doing?” She tilted her head.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSN2FSeguu
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“Fine…” I said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjY8kVMJDR
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But I wasn’t. I had been stuck on this one particular part of English since last week. I tried asking Hina about it, but even she was having a hard time with it. I subtly glanced out of the corner of my eye to see Kuroiwa-san reading a book.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO6tqhJ1lR
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Maybe he can…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEIIGwWmcb
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A phone suddenly buzzed. I checked mine, but it wasn’t the one ringing.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApv3Jo00OR
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“Ah! Sorry, Mom is calling.” Runa stood up, then walked toward the living room door. She went to the main hall to answer her phone.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxELe8RuaYl
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Suddenly, I was left alone with Kuroiwa-san…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUbovNT5Yp
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I inhaled, then exhaled.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuYz2Q7Qvg
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This… This could be a chance…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwT3b9j2KQ
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I stood up and walked toward the living room. I paused for a second, but I kept moving. It was not like I was nervous to approach Kuroiwa-san. I just didn’t know why I was hesitating. But even if he and Runa were taking a break, I felt like I was still intruding by going over to ask him. But I needed to…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FaDqBdUCm
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When I stepped in front of Kuroiwa-san, I leaned my upper body to the left, tilting my head so I could peek at what he was doing.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lQ2WY0uuN
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“Hey…” I called out to him, carefully. I waited for a few seconds, but he was not responding. His eyes were very focused on what he was reading.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeepj0fHbz
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I pulled my lips to the side. But I wasn’t annoyed. I was trying to be patient.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw4iSLzidf
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Unlike with Runa, Kuroiwa-san and I didn’t have any agreement about him teaching me. But I figured, it didn’t hurt to ask, at least. I stared at him for a few more seconds before I decided to sit beside him on the sofa. I opened the textbook and my notebook that I had taken with me to the living room. I placed them both on my lap and started reading. I kept sighing, hoping that maybe Kuroiwa-san would ask me why I was sighing. I looked at him again… and again, he was unresponsive.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsFbl4G0Q7
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I let out one final sigh. Even with Kuroiwa-san sitting down, the significant difference in our heights meant I still had to look up slightly to meet his eyes. I wondered if I was bothering him. But before I gave up entirely, I needed to try one more time.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZiOrtPkhb
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“Hey…” I said, louder this time.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycojUS6KFo
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Kuroiwa-san moved his eyes.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgK92fv9ic
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I caught myself just looking at them for half a second. I closed my mouth before I continued.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsSwezpYCj
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“Can I…” I hesitated for a moment. “Can I ask you a question?” I asked.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr66e5ByaMi
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“What is it?” Kuroiwa-san replied.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjao7WInOq
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I turned my eyes to my hands, closed my eyes, and then took a deep breath. I took my notebook from my lap, opened it, and flipped the pages until I got to where I wanted to ask him about.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKl5kIUADa
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“This part,” I said, pointing at a sentence using my index finger. “I have a hard time understanding this sentence from the rest. It’s a question that starts with ‘Would you’ but the answer is no if you agree and yes if you don’t, while the others’ answers were the opposite.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0KuSwpEeh
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Kuroiwa-san leaned forward to look where I was pointing. I was a little surprised because he was too close. Too close that it was making me feel a little uncomfortable.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymIiXVrEQy
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“That one,” Kuroiwa-san said as he leaned back to how he was before. “If you look closely, one word made a difference compared to the others.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdrbHYKR4I
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I inspected the sentence…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiivNyZhS6
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“Is it because of ‘mind’?” I asked.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNtdoCoHfv
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“Yes,” Kuroiwa-san answered. He turned toward me and now his eyes were staring at mine. I held a breath for a second. “Usually, a ‘would you’ question is a polite way of asking someone to do something.” He moved his eyes up to think and then went back to mine. “Like, if you ask ‘Would you open this door?’ Then the answer will be yes if you agree.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h42wHlCCw
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“Mhm,” I said. I was getting a little self-conscious from his stare, so I reflexively glanced toward my notebook instead.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEDE0xsjxe
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“But if you add the word ‘mind’ like, ‘Would you mind opening this door?’ the question turns from politely asking someone to do something to asking if someone would hate or dislike doing something. So then, the answer becomes ‘No’ if you agree and ‘Yes’ if you don’t.” Kuroiwa-san continued.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ800gxTKBlX
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“How?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpaqXK3eiO
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“Because in this context, mind is a verb that means to object or be bothered by something. So if you add it with a ‘Would you’ question, the question transforms into a conditional one instead.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5deVi9rKhy
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“I see,” I replied. So that’s how it is. In just a few easy explanations, I understood completely. I never even thought the nuance was due to the verb that was used. I was looking instead at the sentence as a whole rather than checking for context. Of all the subjects we had, English was the one I wasn’t very good at. “Thank you,” I said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamnMcxip8R
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Kuroiwa-san didn’t respond so I looked up at him. He started reading his book again. His face was always calm and I was staring at it. Then somehow, I had become aware of how close I was sitting beside him. There was a gap of a few inches between us, a typical distance between two people sitting on the same sofa who are not intimate.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcXJsOeDv2
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I shifted myself to the right to get closer to him…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hn7x1eTUT
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That didn’t feel right.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkBkTaA65s
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I shifted myself to the left to get farther from him…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD0Felmdmm
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I sighed.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gdnpWQquu
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I needed to ask him again about another sentence and grammar structure that I could not follow. But then the living room door opened.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NgAzmXLEx
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“Sorry, Mom’s call took a little longer,” Runa said as she was entering. “Mom was asking a lot of questions and… Oh! Wait, Mika, stay like that…” she said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIIRWTwj6T
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“What?” I replied, but before I knew what was happening, Runa had already pointed her phone’s camera at me and took a picture.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWMQcXkKob
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“Picture, get!” Runa called out. “Ok, next is to send it to Mom… And sent…”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETPU9D9eMo
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“What was that for?” I asked Runa.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2S673Njp9
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“Proof,” Runa answered. “Mom wanted to know if I’m with you.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMUZygRgiD
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“You could’ve warned me first,” I said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HT5pRCVZf
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“Sorry,” Runa apologized to me, smiling awkwardly. But then she turned toward Kuroiwa-san. “Anyways, Rei-kun—”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RwdQlSyCw
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I frowned. I didn’t know why so I tried to untangle the frown.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDanYuJDcY
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“Let’s start studying again,” Runa continued. “Mom said that we need to get home in an hour so…”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC6oQmUtJh
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“Are you sure, Miyase-san?” Kuroiwa-san replied.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Apsvj8Xn
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Runa pouted and went silent, staring at Kuroiwa-san intently.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UAc6EFMZQ
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Kuroiwa-san stood up beside me and I did the same. I wanted to ask more questions but I didn’t want to be a nuisance, so I just had to go back to the dining area.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLjkajxFNZ
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“Then open your notes to page 15,” Kuroiwa-san said as he sat down in front of their study desk.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSTMEwQqBc
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“...No,” Runa said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRjnpUkVO9
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I stopped walking and wondered what Runa was thinking so I turned around to look at her. She turned her head toward the right. She was facing the side, her eyes were closed, and was still pouting. Even behind her, I could see her arms crossed on her chest.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWJjNSNohR
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“Why?” Kuroiwa-san asked.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TIJ3ZYmtQ
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“Rei-kun… Why are you calling me with my last name again?” Runa replied as she turned her head back to him.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNmaO8Ep0S
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Kuroiwa-san moved his eyes to each side then up.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznzd38kTuE
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“My Mom’s last name is also Miyase. If you keep calling me the same as her, I wouldn’t know if you are talking to me,” Runa continued.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb0wZtGKK6
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I lifted an eyebrow. I knew immediately what Runa was implying but the circumstances of that time on Tuesday forced Kuroiwa-san to call her by her name. To me, it seemed unfair to just ask him to change the way he addressed her just because of that one time. I was so sure Kuroiwa-san wouldn’t agree with it as—22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY8zBrKklH
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“Alright,” Kuroiwa-san answered.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXrvbXUZ0J
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I opened my mouth.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAF6lGQ9nw
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“Okay, good,” Runa replied, smiling. She paused for a second. “C-can you try saying it then?” she asked, sounding a little shy.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHMNqWTAe6
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I bit my lips.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdJKFjJa62
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“Now?” Kuroiwa-san said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA17qGNdfu
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“Yes,” Runa nodded.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshDKeADFVa
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“R—” Kuroiwa-san hesitated for a bit. I was watching him very intently. “Runa-san,” he finally said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0JJC36AMc
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Runa kneeled then leaned forward toward Kuroiwa-san slowly. She reached her left hand to him and poked his nose with her index finger.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0pEfkNE2E
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“Just… Runa…” she said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQU79kI6hR
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Kuroiwa-san crawled backward so fast and so far that he almost hit the TV behind him, almost jumping. “W-w-w-what are you doing?” he said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57clFgdgMg
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Runa just giggled then proceeded to sit properly in front of the table. “Alright, then let’s start,” she casually replied. Even without looking at her face, I knew she would be smiling.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtUdkvJ3gB
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I looked at Kuroiwa-san… He was blushing…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA5AdIvETT
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I closed my eyes. I suddenly felt uneasy. I immediately turned to the dining area. I took all my belongings and put them inside my bag.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBh3jyTnXT
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“I’m going home!” I declared.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD2cRhlaB4
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I walked toward the living room door and opened it. My feet were stomping, and before I closed the door, I heard Runa surprised behind me.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukvW4tOKOq
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“Huh? Mika!? Why!?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1Q1iq13Ac
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—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was all that? How was Runa able to just touch him casually like that? It was just a poke in the nose but…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PbsOPtuoj
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I shook my head…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRezba0xbIz
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Was that how they usually acted when they were alone? Was that the reason Kuroiwa-san didn’t want me to be there? Were they really just studying?22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhktow9nxa
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRamTV2U4LY
While I was always alone in the dining area, being careful to not disturb them, as soon as they forgot about me, they would start flirting. They didn’t even think that I was there, like my existence didn’t matter. They never even thought I would feel uncomfortable looking at them that way.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybejvH43Fw
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…How could he be blushing?22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQKKesViAM
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…And how could I even feel uncomfortable?22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDXHFBoiG3
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I stopped walking and I ended up standing in the middle of the street. I was on the way to the train station. I just wanted to go home at this point. I wasn’t needed there. I was just a bother.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWouTNY9rQ
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I clenched my hands tightly and felt my nails digging into my palms. I choked as I felt my heart starting to squeeze in my chest.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwqwsRYleB
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I didn’t know how to answer the questions I asked myself. All I knew was that I never wanted this. That I did not intend to feel like this. All I wanted was for his help. That was the whole reason I volunteered to accompany them in the first place. But I never even got the chance to get close to Kuroiwa-san. They just spent hours facing each other, talking to each other, and…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uuNrcE8EO
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Looking at each other…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGjFyery85
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What the heck! What the heck! What the heck!22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXByBl8JPek
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I let my chest soak up the pain that I didn’t fully understand. I just wanted to ask one more question. Just one more. But Runa…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqtIhaV6Jo
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I tried to inspect myself. I still couldn’t figure out what it was.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9epscjnx5a
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…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrr9zZhIMI
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Maybe… coming here was a mistake after all…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf30f2y3xgX
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“Wait! Mika!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM0fXywvvs
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I heard Runa’s voice behind me. I turned to see her running toward me. But I turned back quickly and resumed walking.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG7UWtiXJs
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“I said wait!” Runa caught up to me and grabbed my wrist. It forced me to feel unbalanced for a second but thankfully I did not fall down. I turned my head toward Runa and she was bending down a bit with her right hand holding her knee, looking down while catching her breath.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfajZy0FeQ6
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“Why are you here?” I asked.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUnz0UtyZ3
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“Why?” Runa took one deep breath, let it out, then stood up properly to face me. “You know why. If you’re not there and Mom finds out, I’ll get in trouble again!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m0z89UgRy
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I frowned.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDku9XSQyzQ
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“Yeah, that’s right. I was just there to be your proof afterall.” I replied with a sharp voice that I did not expect to come out.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogopeAv4Nd
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“No! Mika, what are you talking about?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN4h55L9O7
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“Go back, even if I wasn’t there, you’ll be fine. Besides, you have already sent your proof to your mother. My usefulness has already ended right there.” I pulled my arms from Runa’s grip and continued walking.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl1McJj12I
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“Mika,” Runa said as she walked beside me. “You know that’s not how it is.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulQgXvYbYp
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I didn’t answer. I just kept looking forward. I didn’t want to look at her.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE6gJuMwW2
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“I’m sorry,” Runa continued. “But that was not my intention. I want you to be there. Really.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvbB5DcjWg
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I didn’t budge.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzga9xN0EL
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“Mika, please…”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO2ruT1O1P
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My eyes forward.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0h31D7qWJ
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“Stop ignoring me please? I’m sorry…”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLANlJpCVB
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Runa’s voice started to sound more earnest and softer every time. But I wasn’t paying attention. I was just looking ahead. Then I felt her stop walking beside me, and then suddenly I was walking alone in front.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXKRFKU7Vx
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“You’re so stubborn!” Runa yelled. “If you have a problem with me, then just tell me. You're being unreasonable right now!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uJ0vHOqnR
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I did not intend to stop as well, but my feet refused to take another step and just ignored what Runa said. Instead I turned around.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3IV09jvmE
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“Look who’s talking!” I yelled back at Runa. “If you’re the one who has something in mind, and whenever I asked, you’re not even telling me what it was, then why should I? I was always worried about you, and you just kept on dancing around what really was on your mind!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUmuHT673H
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“That’s different. I never made you feel like you did something wrong like what you’re doing to me now!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwskSXHhb7
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“Then how about you think about it!?”
“Well, that’s just unfair!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3mh0u4cE5
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“Same goes for you!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSwXttYQgf
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“Alright, then I’ll think about it!” Runa yelled and took a moment to actually think. “Was it because you felt lonely alone in the dining area?” she asked.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqDyhSpuDo
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I didn’t answer.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxU9v7Lwet
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She frowned while staring at me. And again she took a moment to think. “Was it because I took a picture of you without permission?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l8TvcWZ8U
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“No!” I answered.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyONyoH9jM0
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“Was it because I was teasing Rei-kun?” Runa continued.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcx4dhvNrX
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I turned my head to the right to avoid her gaze.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WD8aSIIo1
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“Was it?” Runa asked to confirm.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs5r45oVIv
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“No!!” I replied.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSuanb73Qi
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“Mika, I was just teasing him.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLp5wiwPsm
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“You were forcing him to call you by your first name.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd2E9bJPHI
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“That was not—I was not forcing him. It’s just awkward, you know, if he kept calling me by my family name because he already met Mom.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJOefLERrK
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I looked at her suspiciously. “Liar,” I said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWc8mD3rvQ
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“I was not lying.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaGayPJr2y
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“Then explain to me why you would tease him?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpkp8w26oi
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Runa opened her mouth, but she never said anything. She lowered her head, looked at me, looked at the sky, then to me. She closed her eyes tight, and when she finally opened, she turned her gaze away from me.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GMifJ5N6g
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“I—” Runa hesitated. “I don’t know.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoodxsTgeA
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“See, proves my point earlier. You have something in your mind and you’re not telling me,” I said.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tLZHo97Cg
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“Wha— I honestly don’t know!” Runa yelled. Then her eyes turned toward the ground again and she started talking a little quieter. “It was just… fun…”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpKWUjfOCT
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I frowned.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN44c9Ud7Cd
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Fun? You tease someone because you think it was fun? Wasn’t that just bullying? I never pictured Runa to be a bully. But if she didn’t want to tell me why, then I would not be interested to continue asking.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9QfGumZ1b
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I turned around and walked.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugOyLfMDEt
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“Mika,” Runa called me. “I’m sorry,” she said. Her voice softened as she told me her third apology. “If those weren’t the reasons, can you please tell me?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT5YpLXUvN
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My steps slowed but I kept going. But I wasn’t looking ahead this time. I was just looking to where I placed my steps. What was I even telling her? ‘Think about it then?’ I didn’t even know what she did wrong. I—22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknMHvsb6Hj
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“Fine!” Runa shouted behind me. “If you’re not going to talk with me, then I will not talk with you!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8jAlCVgJR
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I held a breath and closed my eyes.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXbA0z1ept
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And for the rest of the way, we stopped talking.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpeSqmAuKS
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—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktpdzKeJVK
Sunday Night. Last day of May.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWUMriAK42
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Everything that happened afterwards was quiet.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRPrhqkukQ
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There were no text messages, no phone calls, not even a press from each other’s doorbell. There was no attempt at any communication.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTjF3N0mbv
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Three days of nothing between me and Runa.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUiqTAiETg
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I felt horrible. Yet I felt justified.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4iPsaZ0eY
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And I felt both for one reason: I didn’t know why.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7yjrVD72A
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Runa was right, I was being stubborn. She apologized, and I just couldn’t accept it and move on. Because when I tried to think about it, it didn’t feel right. I felt uneasy. And so I decided not to tell her anything. I decided it was easier that way.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOUic5unWW
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Unlike her, I wasn’t ready to be honest with myself.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgI7YKNG0Q
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It was just… fun…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLIH5yDR8Y
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I recalled how she said it. Fun? What was so fun about teasing someone? If it was me…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPaygCLbUz
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My phone suddenly rang at the corner of my table. I was in the middle of tidying up my study materials when it happened. I peeked at who was calling.
It was Yui.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEo1pYvT5K
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I ignored it.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAxEZRlSS3
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A few minutes later, the ringing stopped.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp4cm4QA9D
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I stood up after I was done tidying. Before I could even take one step toward my bed, my phone rang again.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYc6gqdMgu
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I grabbed my phone to see.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LVBPBX8zT
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It was still Yui.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZfx29H7fP
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This time I dropped it.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFJS6JfMCY
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But not even a second later, Yui called again.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngqKaNCcy0
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I sighed.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4086h6Sjyc
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“Hello?” I said as I surrendered to Yui’s persistence.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozb3LkNnY7
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“Why didn’t you answer sooner!?” Yui replied.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UYingF9DI
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“It’s late, I was about to go to sleep.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwKK4CJM00
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“Really? You can go to sleep like that?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn21Bry7jq
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“Like what?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ0evNTzfE
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“While… you know… between you and Runa.” Yui whispered.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23xti3hlNv
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I didn’t say anything for a moment. Of course, I couldn’t sleep easily after what happened. I just tried to close my eyes every time. And I would just wait. Wait for minutes, wait for hours, until sleep pulled me in.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPhqcVtu5B
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“It’s none of your business,” I finally answered.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYJm9pphyF
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“But it is!” Yui replied, almost yelling. “You promised you won’t fight anymore!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEcDxdE9eA
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“I didn’t promise that.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9I80Sb7g9
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“Then you’re a liar.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL4CMwmDVK
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“Fine, I’m a liar then!” I said. Then I ended the call.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3lDGQCNa9
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What am I—22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ880HV4vAPY
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My phone vibrated in my hand and by reflex I answered it.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5W2RnmlgU
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“Don’t drop the call!” Yui shouted. I pulled my ear away from the phone as her shout pierced through.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkr7YA8gQ7
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“Okay, okay. I won’t. I’m sorry,” I replied.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcV4ncsdV9
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“Good then,” Yui said cheerfully. “Anyways, tomorrow, let’s fix both of you.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XlPfy0HAe
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“What? You don’t need to—”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6YSYSTw83
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“I need to!” Yui replied, sounding very firm. “We’re not going to just let this keep on, you know. It’s not healthy.”
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I kept my silence.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6I0ae8L5I
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“Listen, Mika…” Yui continued. “I really don’t like this. If you both stop talking to each other, then you’ll both drift apart.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpxYrynrdV
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“...I know.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYoTUZ8yYU
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“I don’t want that to happen. I want all of us to stay as friends. You know, me, you, Hina and Runa. All of us, until we become old ladies.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOwiOzo0q7
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“...I guess… me too…”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvv8uZtyIy
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“So… let’s talk about it tomorrow, okay?” Yui said. Her voice sounded gentle. “If you’re not ready to talk with us during the morning, we’ll wait for you at the rooftop at lunch.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvqeiSR1CV
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“...Okay,” I answered.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFak2LoToL8
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“Be sure to be there!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnurueQmqIK
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“...I will.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj1iz7lTcq
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“Promise?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ8LKP6gxe
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“Promise…”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedOq5ccMoR
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“Alright then, I’ll let you go to sleep now! Good night Mika! Love you!!”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v8YOa05Gk
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“Good night…”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9xb4tTIYQ
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The phone call ended.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyS3tFgGZi
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I sat on my bed for a few seconds. And when I finally decided to lie down, I immediately closed my eyes. I placed a hand over my chest, feeling what my heartbeat was trying to tell me. Then I knew I wasn't looking forward to tomorrow.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQayOE6Yv8d
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I didn’t want to. But I knew that would be another mistake.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl2pHtjitF
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So while I was closing my eyes, I waited.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWTx1R9GqK
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—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCrrQqP6nm
Lunch, Monday. The beginning of June.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWmslQp5Bs
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I shouldn’t have stood here. I shouldn’t have looked at them yet.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8U1kfMzSR
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I should have gone straight to the rooftop after the bell rang. I should have just listened to Yui. But, I saw a teacher post the rankings of each student for our grade on the board just beside the staircase. So I went to see. Based on the test papers from the midterm exams that I had retrieved during homeroom, I knew I didn’t do well. But reality had not settled at that point—because reality was right before my eyes now.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMAcwhOIGP
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Tojo Mika… Rank 36…22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmPh8Bfnmc
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I never went to the rooftop afterwards…
and then Add to home screen.